Woman burned, home destroyed by two-alarm fire

A two-alarm fire destroyed this mobile home at 217 main St. in Fremont Friday night. (JASON SCHREIBER)

FREMONT - A woman who suffered serious burns remained hospitalized in Boston Saturday after a mobile home fire that was likely sparked a candle, fire officials said.

The two-alarm blaze destroyed the home at 217 Main St. and burned the 66-year-old victim before she was able to escape.

'She had some pretty significant burns to her face and head,' Fire Chief Rick Butler said.

The woman, whose name hasn't been released, was treated at the scene and transported to Exeter Hospital by Raymond Ambulance. Butler said she was later flown by medical helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital Friday night.

The fire broke out around 7:30 p.m. at the residence next to the former Rowe's gas station. The property is owned by Richard Maloof, but Butler said he believes the woman's boyfriend rents the mobile home.

Police Sgt. Jason Larochelle said the woman was outside the home being helped by a passerby when he arrived.

"She was out by the road trying to flag people down,' Larochelle said.

Neighbor Carl Juliano said he was sitting in his dining room when he saw the flames and noticed embers falling on the roof of his house.

'It went up really quickly,' he said.

Juliano went outside and saw the victim, who was being assisted by others. 'She was freaked out,' he said.

Butler said the fire started at the front of the home. The state fire marshal's office was called in to assist in the investigation. Butler said it appears the fire was caused by a candle, but that at this point he hasn't been able to talk to the victim to determine exactly what happened.

'It was fully involved when I got here,' Butler said, adding that the home is a total loss.

The fire was knocked down quickly. Most firefighters left the scene by 11 p.m. Fremont firefighters were assisted by crews from Epping, Raymond and Sandown.